Cocu Pleased With Start But Disappointed With Just A Point

Manager Phillip Cocu was pleased with the way his side started in the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion this afternoon - but was frustrated to only pick up a point from the game.

The Rams started the game on the front foot and were awarded a penalty in the opening five minutes of the game and Martyn Waghorn stepped up to convert from 12 yards.

The striker would then see a second penalty saved by Sam Johnstone at the end of the first half before the visitors themselves equalised from the spot late in the game.

Kenneth Zohore scored his penalty kick in the final ten minutes and the Rams were forced to settle for a point.

The Rams could have won it late on, but Mason Bennett's smart shot from inside the area flashed wide.

“I was just very disappointed at the end because I warned our players at half-time, don’t take any risks in our 18-yard box by holding, putting a tackle in or anything,” Cocu told RamsTV.

“It’s just the rules in football and the opponent can get a penalty. They took advantage of our mistake. It is a hard lesson again because we couldn’t score during game.

“We had some good opportunities on goal against a good opposition but we got stuck with a point and if you see the game back it’s extremely disappointing for the team.

“It was a really good start and good energy in the team to get the early goal. Up until their goal, I think until then, it was perfect.

“I believe really if we didn’t give the penalty away, we would win and it still be 1-0, which was deserved.”

The manager handed Jack Marriott his first league start of the season after he netted his first goal of the campaign during midweek in the 2-1 loss to Bristol City.

The striker has endured a tough start to the season having missed most of pre-season due to injury, but is gradually building up his sharpness.

“He was able to start,” Cocu said. “We knew we probably wouldn’t keep him on for 90 minutes but he did well in his 75 minutes.

“The most important thing for us is that he comes out of the game good, recovers and improves his fitness to play 90 minutes and also more games in a week.

“It is positive. Also, two young players showed that they can act on this level of football in our team, which is good. Again, we have to be really disappointed that we couldn’t win this game.”

Cocu also handed first league starts to youngsters Lee Buchanan and Jason Knight and the manager was pleased with their contributions.

“Lee needed 20 minutes to lose his nerves, keep calm and play the game like he can,” he said when discussuing the Academy graduates.

“Jason has already played some minutes and he played better and better as the game went on.

“After the first 20 minutes, Lee played a really good in the game. He was good in defence and solid on the ball. I am really happy to see it for the club that they did well.

“They will not be able to play 46 games, they have to learn how to deal with the loads and the intensity of training but most importantly we see the potential.

“If they do well then they play, and they did. If they proceed and continue working in this way then they have a good future.”